Missoula, Montana

Pics of Clearwater river in Idaho, Mountains and port near Lewiston, Idaho, KOA campground, friends at breakfast and the mule at rest.
Left the last resort KOA at 9 AM on Hwy 12 going north towards Missoula, Montana. After a 19 mile ride from the campground, I intersected with US 12. I pulled of to make a last inspection and to my surprise as I was turning off I encountered some very loose gravel while decelerating. BAM/SLAM, the mule did not like the loose gravel at low speed and tumbled to it's side. I was launched off the mc onto my right shoulder and I guess I hit the dirt with my helmet as it has a nice set of scratches on the visor. After a few prolonged ****** words, I assessed my situation. Lucky for me, I was able to wave down a local who helped me lift the bike. After numerous thank you's, I got bike back on the road. Long stretches of rolling brown hills and I rode into Lewiston, Id. The temp at 0930 AM was +86F. I got some gas and continued on. The scenery finally changed to more trees as I climbed through the mountain pass. Finally some fun driving lots of S curves. Stopped at a lodge at the summit of Lolo pass for gas and headed downhill towards Lolo/Missoula. Stopped at a gas station in Lolo, MT at 6 pm CENTRAL TIME AND THE TEMP WAS +94. Met a BMW rider from Billings at the gas station that was riding a 1200 GS. He thinks it's the best bike for riding in this area. Fired up the GPS and found the local KOA campgound, rented a space with power. The folks camping next to me had spent the summer in Kenai as camp hosts and hooked me up with a glass of wine and some smoked red salmon. The wine was good and now I'm sipping some "Jack" and coke, and trying to stay awake as I have been waking way to early and need to get used to the time difference form Alaska. Plan on visiting Big Sky Motorsports to see if I can get a replacement face shield.
This adventure is all about change and meeting new people and sharing new experiences. I believe that this blog reflects my new experiences. Fred Kennedy told me to make sure that I write all this down so that some day my grandkids can explore my adventure. I have been copying and pasting everything on the blog to a document that I will review and edit and a later time.
Tomorrow, Hwy 200, east towards Minnesota and Northern, VA.
Irene!! Please have some great wine available!!
My spelling will get better as I get used to this new netbook.

Sincerely, your brother, the "mule" driver!!